C5's at Mildenhall

[Pune]

Hi Folks,
I am guessing that there may not be a definitive answer to this query but here goes;
Can anyone say how regular are visits to RAF Mildenhall by C5 Galaxy aircraft, does there seem to be a regular day of the week for arrival, departure or is it purely pot luck, any pointers really appreciated, the wife is seriously keen to see one, preferably departing, but hey, beggars can't be choosers as they say.
Thanks for any info'.
Cheers
Pune

[Snoop 95]

Those who keep a closer eye on what lands at Mildenhall will be able to give you a proper answer, but I live under the flight-path to the base and so do see what is about. C5's are not as frequent as they were and I would say cannot be described as regular visitors. They used to arrive on Sunday mornings quite often, but there does not seem to be any pattern at all now. Sometimes they arrive from the CONUS and otherwise from Europe ( Ramstein mainly).
Hopefully somebody else will provide more info.

[galaxysi]

The pattern used to be every 2 weeks on a friday a C5M arrives in the morning.Some times quick turns to Ramstein other times stays and goes out Sat morning,comes back Sat PM and departs to Mcguire or Dover Sunday AM.Recently they have been due on a friday but turn up several days late,therefore slipping the US departure back as well.There was one in last friday and it went out as above(out sat am,back sat pm out to Dover sun am) so the next one should be a week this friday.Best to keep an eye on the Mildenhall Passenger Terminal Facebook page for departures to Ramstein on a friday/saturday and Dover/Mcguire on a Sunday/Monday.
Hope this is of help

Simon.

[Pune]

Thanks guys that's great info', now to start planning..thanks again.
Pune

[Ferrari]

I watch www.adsbglobalexchange.com to keep an eye on Mildenhall movements and there were two last Sunday morning, including one that went out to Ramstein.

HTH,

Regards,
Ferrari

[TeeJay]

I watch http://www.adsbglobalexchange.com to keep an eye on Mildenhall movements and there were two last Sunday morning, including one that went out to Ramstein.

HTH,

Regards,
Ferrari

One of those on Adsb wasn't a C5. Was a miss coded KC135 I believe.

Trev

[Snoop 95]

One just leaving Mildenhall now Quid 74, 70-0449. Seems to have issues with his rudder if the trace on ADS-B is correct! https://global.adsbexchange.com/Virtual ... sktop.html

[bizfreeq]

The fact it is using a Quid callsign should be enough to tell you that it must be a miscoded box again. Quid is a KC135 callsign not a C5 one.

[rh226]

Quid74 today was KC-135R 62-3545. Also remarked upon in the "Heads Up" section that it was using the wrong code.

Also 70-0449 is in the boneyard (and has been for over 4 years), so that should have rung a few alarm bells.

There are only 5 C-5As left in service out of 81 built - these are 69-0020, 70-0448/0451/0456/0461 - all at Westover ARB with 337AS/439AW.

Cheers,

Bob

[Snoop 95]

Not really interested in the minutiae of callsigns and numbers. Love aeroplanes.

[Skip]

Ah I remember the good old days, seeing 6 parked up at once. I took it for granted back then now they are a rare treat

[Pune]

Six together, that must have been some sight..

[TankBuster]

A real treat was the days when we had C-5's & C-141's lined up on the ramp .
I do love the sound of the C-5A's when they wind the engines up to max at the start of a take off run...Now, that is LOUD!!!

TankBuster

[Skip]

Well that was the problem Pune, you would regularly see 3 Galaxys there on a Sunday and think nothing of it. I suppose the moral of the story is you should never take anything for granted

[bizfreeq]

Quid74 today was KC-135R 62-3545. Also remarked upon in the "Heads Up" section that it was using the wrong code.

Also 70-0449 is in the boneyard (and has been for over 4 years), so that should have rung a few alarm bells.

There are only 5 C-5As left in service out of 81 built - these are 69-0020, 70-0448/0454/0456/0461 - all at Westover ARB with 337AS/439AW.

Cheers,

Bob

70-0448 was the first C5 I ever logged Bob, nice to know it's still around!

[rh226]

Mark,

Mine was 68-0214 "MAC80214" routing WOD > DVR at around 0630hrs on the very first C-5 flight into Europe (Saturday 25/07/1970). I lived in Ashford (Middlesex) at the time, so it came almost directly over me.

I didn't recognise it for what it was (having rather over-indulged the evening before) and, peering groggily out of the bedroom window, thought "Hmm....Big 'Lifter" and went back to sleep with the VHF radio still on.

Cycled up to the Cains Lane corner at Heathrow later that morning and asked what it was. The answer, I distinctly remember, was "Galaxy, you..... ".


EDIT:- Just spotted an error. It is 0451 still going and not 0454 (I still need 0451). Above post amended.

[graham luxton]

Mine was also 68-0214 on the types 1st visit to the UK - on Sunday morning 26 July'70 when it arrived at Lakenheath from Rhein Main. I was very fortunate to have a conducted tour over it that afternoon. It continued its European tour departing to Torrejon early the following morning.

At the time Mildenhall's runway was only partially useable due to reconstruction and unable to take heavies - that's why it went to Lakenheath.

[Blackcat1]

Ah C5s and C141s those were the days.

[eagle driver]

Circa 1970 and a certain One percent trip to Mildenhall and a manic taxi ride spring to mind , those were the days, result 1 Galaxy

[graham luxton]

1st visit of a C-5A to Mildenhall was 68-0219 on 20 Dec'70